Sir – On March 10, the west area planning committee will decide whether to accept the shiny stainless steel metal cladding material proposed for the new Exeter/Ruskin building in Jericho.

In our opinion, the proposed experimental finishing material, that will span the very high roof and extensive areas of the walls as well (intended by the architects to look like a “glowing golden cloak”), does not respect the context within a conservation area with adjoining grade I and II listed properties. We believe that the curved textured shiny metal stainless steel cladding is totally inappropriate for the building’s setting.

The limited visuals indicate that it will look similar to the Bullring in Birmingham, or possibly Cardiff’s Millennium centre, so, therefore, is highly experimental in the narrow and low-built residential streets of Jericho. Otherwise these types of material have been used until now in the interior of lifts. A simple change to a more appropriate material such as copper would make a considerable improvement. Hot on the heels of the university’s recent apology over the Castle Mill flats it appears that history may repeat itself. Have any lessons been learned?

Chris Johnson, Chair, South Jericho Residents Association